Rotary plumbing switch



March 26, 1957 E. M. GREER 2,786,654

ROTARY PLUMBING SWITCH Filed July 2o, 195s 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR Q( Lgal/MM Greef March 26, 1957 E. M. GREER 2,786,654

ROTARY PLUMBING SWITCH Filed July 20,. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO United States Patent O ROTARY PLUMBING SWITCH Edward M. Greer, Great Neck, N. Y., assigner to Greer Hydraulics, Inc., a corporation of New York Application July 20, 1953, Serial No. 369,013

13 Claims. (Cl. 259-30) This invention relates to the art of switches, more particularly of the rotary type.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide a multiple circuit switch of the abovertype which is neat, compact, light in weight, easy to mount and may readily be fabricated at low cost with relatively inexpensive Vmaterials, which is devoid of springs, levers or fragile contacts, which may operate under extreme temperature conditions without aecting its eiiciency and which is not likely to be injured by vibration, shock or impact and which may readily be sealed so that it is not affected by moisture, dust or dirt.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown one or more of various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. l is a sectional view of the switch, taken along line 1 1 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 2 is' a transverse sectional view thereof taken along line 2 2 of Fig. l,

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views of the switch in various positions of operation, and

Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram showing one illustrative application of the switch.

Referring now to Figs. l and 2 of the drawings, the switch 10 desirably comprises an arcuate member 11, preferably of conductive material such as aluminum which is desirably silver plated to increase its conductivity. The arcuate member 11 desirably occupies approximately 330 of arc and a segment 12 is provided desirably of the same material as the arcuate member 11 and occupying approximately 30 of arc, so that it may t in the gap between the ends 13 and 14 of the arcuate member 11, being slightly spaced therefrom, the arcuate member 11 and segment 12 defining a side ring 15. The inner surfaces of the arcuate member 11 and segment 12 desirably have annular grooves 17 therein which may have beveled side walls 18 flaring outwardly from the Hoor 19 of said groove 17. Desirably the arcuatemember and segment have a plurality of openings 21, 22 therethrough adjacent their inner and outer peripheries respectively for mounting thereof. y

An annular outer ring 23, also desirably of silver coated aluminum, is associated with the side ring and has an outer diameter substantially equal thereto. An inner ring 24 also ot' similar material is also provided, having an inner diameter substantially equal to that of the side ring 15. The inner peripheries of the inner ring 24 and outer ring 23 are both desirably beveled as at 25, 26 respectively at an angle corresponding to the angle of bevel of the side walls 18 of the side ring 15, and both of the rings 23 and 24 have a plurality of mounting openings 27 and 28 therethrough respectively.

Means are desirably provided securely'to retain' said rings 15, 23 and 24 together and electrically insulated v from each other. To this end, as is clearly shown in Fig.

2,-a circular disc 31 of insulating material, such as nylon, is provided which, adjacent` its periphery 33, desirably has a plurality of mounting openings 32 therethrough "ice which may be aligned with the openings 21 through the arcuate member 11 and segment 12, and also with the openings 23 through the inner ring 24.

In addition, a ring 35 also is provided desirably of insulating material such as nylon of outer diameter substantially equal to that of the side ring 15 and desirably having a plurality of mounting holes 36 therethrough which may be aligned with the openings 22 through the arcuate member 11 and segment 12 and also with the openings 27 through the outer ring 23.

The side ring 15 is positioned on one side of the disc -1 and ring 35 and the outer and inner rings 23 and 24 on the other side. Each of the openings 27, 23 in the rings 23 and 24 desirably has an insulated bushing 37 therein and by means of screws k58 extending through washers 39 of `insulating' material; through the bushings 37 and through the openings 32 and 36 in disc 31 and insulating ring 35 and threaded into the associated openings 21 and 22 in the side ring 15, the outer and inner rings 23 and 24 are securely clamped against one side of the disc 31 and the insulatin7 ring 35, and the arcuate member 11 and segment 12 against the other side thereof. T he disc 31 is of such outer diameter that when the parts are assembled as above described, its periphery 33 will be aligned with the inner ends 41 of the beveled surfaces 18 and 25 and the inner diameter of the insulating ring 35 is such that its inner periphery 42 will be aligned with the inner ends 43 of the beveled surfaces 18 and 26.

At least one circuit closing member, preferably a ball 44 of conducting material, which also may be silver coated, is .positioned in the annular cavity 45 formed by the side ring 15 and outer and inner rings 23 and 24, said ball 44 being of such diameter that it may readily move in said cavity 45 and when the switch 1lb is in vertical position shown in Fig. l, will only engage the beveled surfaces 18 and 26 of the side ring 15 and outer ring 23 and when inclined sufficiently from the vertical, in the ldirection shown by the arrow in Fig. 2, will engage the beveled surfaces 26 and 25 of the outer `and inner rings 23 and 24. l

With the construction above described, it is apparent that in vertical position shown in Fig. 3, with the ball 44 engaging the beveled surfaces of the arcuate member 11 and the outer lring 23 one circuit will be provided; with Vthe ball 44 engaging the beveled surfaces of the segment 12 and the outer ring 23, as shown in Fig. 4, a second circuit will be provided and with the ball 44 engaging the `beveled surfaces of the outer and inner rings 23 and 24 as shown in Fig. 5 a third circuit will be provided.

The switch itl is vdesirably suitably enclosed to prevent the .entry of dirt and dust. To this end, as shown in Figs. l and 2, a substantially cup-shaped casing 46 is provided having a central boss 47 extending inwardly from its wall ,48 `and against which the disc 31 is aixed as by screws 49, the wall 43 desirably being provided with lateral mounting tabs 51. The side wall 52 of the casing which extends beyond the switch is closed by a cover plate 53 and suitable terminals 54, 55, 56 and-57 are provided on wall 52 to which the outer ring 23, the annular member 11, the arcuate member 12 and the inner ring 24 are connected respectively.

Although the switch above described is useful in many applications, in compliance with the requirements of the statute, one application will be described in detail, it being understood that such application is merely illustrative and Vnot intended in anyway to limit the scope of the claims herein.

In the illustrative application of the invention shown 4in Fig. 6, thefswitch 10 is incorporated in a system to control the mixing and pouring cycle of a rotatable and pivotally mounted container 61 which desirably is cylindrical, having a filling port 62 therein with a suitable cover 63 for sealing. The end wall 64 of the container near the periphery thereof has an outlet or discharge port with a suitable nozzle 65 desirably controlled by a solenoid actuated valve 66.

The switch is mounted against the end wall 68 of the container as by means of screws (not shown) extending through the lateral tabs 51 of casing 46, the switch being illustratively positioned so that the outer and inner rings 23, 24 are adjacent end wall 68.

Affixed to each end of the container and extending axially therefrom are shafts 71 and 72 which desirably extend through and are rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 73 and 74 at the ends of the arms of a substantially U-shaped yoke 75. Atiixed at one end to the cross bar 76 of the yoke, desirably midway between its ends, is a rock shaft 77 which is suitably supported in a bearing bushing 78. The end of shaft 77 which extends beyond the bearing bushing 78 has aixed thereto one end of a lever 79, the other end of which is pivotally connected by means of a link 81 to the armature 82 of a solenoid 83. Desirably the pivotal movement of the yoke 75 in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 6, is restrained by means of a stop 84 against which the cross bar 76 of the yoke abuts to retain the container 61 in substantially horizontal position.

Means are desirably provided to rotate the container 61 for mixing of the contents thereof. For this purpose the end of shaft 72 extending beyond bearing 74 may have a sprocket Wheel 85 mounted thereon which is connected by means of a sprocket chain 86 to a sprocket wheel 87 on the shaft of a drive motor 38 affixed to the arm 89 of the yoke.

Means are desirably provided to rotate the container 61 for a predetermined period of time to mix its contents, and thereafter to incline such container and open the nozzle 65 thereof, and after the contents of the container have been discharged into a suitable reservoir 90, to close the nozzle and restore the container to its horizontal position.

For this purpose, as shown in Fig. 6, a drum 91 of insulating material is mounted on shaft 72 and carries a plurality of spaced rings of conducting material, illustratively 6 in number, designated 92, 93, 94, 95, 96 and 97, which are connected respectively to terminals 54, 55, 56 and 57 on casing 46 and to the terminals 98 and 99 of solenoid valve 66. Each of the six rings 92 to 97 is engaged by an associated wiper arm W suitably mounted on an insulating block 107 aliixed to arm 89.

The wiper arm engaging ring 92 is connected by lead 108 to the fixed contact 109 of a time delay relay 111. The fixed contact 112 of the time delay relay 111 is connected by lead 113 to the wiper arm engaging ring 93 and by lead 114 to terminal 115 of motor 88. The arm 116 of relay 111, which normally engages fixed contact 112 when the coil 117 of the relay is de-energized, is connected by leads 118 and 119 to fixed contact 121 of a push button switch 122, the arm 123 of which is connected to negative main 124. Arm 116 of the relay 111 is also connected by leads 118, 119 and 125 to fixed contact 126 of relay 127 and to arm 128 of said relay.

The coil 117 of relay 111 is connected by leads 131 and 119 to fixed contact 121 of switch 122 and by leads 132 and 133 to positive main 134. The arm 135 of relay 127 associated with Jrixed contact 126 is connected to one side of coil 136 of said relay, the other side of said coil being connected by leads 137 and 133 to positive main 134. Arm 135 is also connected by lead 138 to the wiper arm engaging ring 94. The fixed contact 141 of relay 127 is connected by lead 142 to one side of the coil of solenoid S3, the other side of said coil being connected to terminal 143 of motor 88 and by leads 144 and 133 to positive main 134.

The fixed contact 121 of switch 122 is connected by leads 119 and 145 to fixed contact 146 of time delay relay 147. The arm 143 of said relay which is normally spaced from said contact when the coil 149 of the relay is deenergized, is connected by lead 151 to one side of the coil 152 of a solenoid 153, the other side of said coil being connected by lead 154 to positive main 134 and by lead 155 to one side of coil 149 of relay 147. The other side of the coil 149 of relay 147 is connected by leads 157 and 158 to the wiper arms engaging rings 95 and 97, respectively, and the wiper arm engaging ring 96 is connected by leads 159 and 133 to positive main 134. The solenoid 153 has an armature 156 connected to the movable arm 123 of switch 122, said armature, when the coil 152 is energized, being designed to move said arm 123 away from said fixed contact 121 to break the circuit to the system.

In the operation of the system shown in Fig. 6, the container 61 is first filled, for example, with the liquids to be mixed and the port 62 is then closed by means of cover 63. The switch 122 is then closed by pressing push button which will move arm 123 into engagement with fixed contact 121. As a result, a circuit will be completed to energize the time delay relay 111 from negative main 124, through closed switch 122, leads 119 and 131 through coil 117 of relay 111, leads 132 and 133 to positive main 134. However, the arm 116 of said relay will remain in engagement with fixed contact 112 until a given period of time has elapsed. A circuit will also be completed from negative main 124, through closed switch 122, leads 119 and 118, arm 116 of relay 111, fixed contact 112, lead 114 to terminal 115 of motor 88 and as the other terminal 143 of the motor is connected through leads 144 and 133 to positive main 114, the motor 88 will be energized to rotate the container 61, thereby mixing the contents thereof.

As the container rotates, the ball 44 of switch 10 will remain in its bottcmmost position riding on the beveled surfaces of the side ring 15 and outer ring 23, as shown in Fig. 3. After a given period of time, depending upon the setting of the time delay relay 111, the latter will be actuated to bring its arm 116 into engagement with fixed contact 109. As a result, the circuit to the motor 88 from negative main 124 through fixed contact 112 will be broken. However, as ythe negative arm 116 is engaging fixed contact 109 which is connected through lead 108. the wiper arm engaging ring 92 and terminal 54 to outer ring 23 of the switch 10, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3, the arcuate member 11 of the switch 10 will also be connected at this time to the negative main through the ball 44. Hence, a circuit will be completed from such arcuate member 11 through terminal 55, ring 93 and the associated wiper arm, leads 113 and 114 to the motor to retain the latter energized.

The motor will thereupon turn the container 61 and the switch 10 thereon slightly further until the ball 44 and outer ring 23 and segment 12 are in contact, as shown in Fig. 4, at which -time ythe circuit to the motor 88 will be broken as arcuate member 11 is no longer engaged by the ball and the motor will be de-energized to retain the container in fixed position with the discharge nozzle 65 at the bottom of the container, as shown in Fig. 6.

When the ball 44 of the switch 10 is in the position shown in Fig. 4, engaging outer ring 23 and segment 12, a circuit will be completed from negative main 124 through closed switch 122, leads 119 and 118, movable arm 116 of time delay relay 111, fixed contact 109, lead 108, the wiper arm engaging ring 92, terminal 54 of switch 10, outer ring 23, ball 44, segment 12, terminal 56, ring 94 and the associated wiper arm, lead 138 to arm of relay 127 and to one side of the coil 136 of said relay and from the other side of said coil 136 through leads 137 and 133 to positive main 134.

As a result, the relay 127 will be energized so that its arms 135 and 128 engage fixed contacts 126 and 141 respectively. When arm 135 engages fixed Contact 126, a holding circuit will be provided for the coil 136 of said relay, fromnegative main 124, throughl closed `switch 122, leads 119 and 125, closed contacts 126 *and` 135, coil 136, leads 137 and 133 to positive main 134. When arm 128 engages fixed contact 141, a circuit will be completed from negative main 124, through such fixed contacts 128, 141, lead 142 to one side of the solenoid 83 and from the other side of said solenoid through leads 144 and 133 to positive main 134. As a result, the solenoid 83 will be energized to retract its larmature 82 and through link 81 and lever 79 will rotate shaft 77 in a counterclockwise direction to pivot the yoke 75 in a similar direction, thereby tilting the container 61 so that the end 64 thereof extends downwardly, the container being pivoted illustratively `to an angle of say 60 degrees so that nozzle 65 will be aligned with reservoir 96.

When this occurs, the switch will be in the position shown in Fig. 5, the ball 44 engaging the beveled surfaces of the outer and inner r-ings 23 and 24. Although the circuit to the relay 127 from the segment 12 will now be broken, the relay 127 will remain energized due to the holding circuit previously described, and hence the solenoid 83 will also remain energized, retaining the container in an inclined position.

When the inner and outer rings of the switch are electrically connected by the ball 44, a circuit will be completed from negative main 124 through 4closed switch 122, leads 119, 118, `arm 116 of relay 111, fixed contact 109, lead 108, the wiper arm engaging ring 92 to terminal 54 of switch 1t), outer ring 23, through ball 44, inner ring 24, terminal 57, ring 95 and its associated wiper arm, lead 157 to one side of coil 149 of relay 147 and lead 158 through the wiper arm engaging r-ing 97 to terminal 99 of solenoid valve 66 and from terminal 918 of said valve, through ring 96 and its associated wiper arm, leads 159 and 133 to positive main 134. Consequently, the valve 66 will be actuated for discharge of the contents of the container into reservoir 90.

As lead 157 which has been connected to negative main 124, as previously described, is connected to one side of coil 149 of time delay relay 147 and as the other side of coil 149 is connected through leads 155, 154 and 133 to positive main 134, the time delay relay 147 will be energized, but the arm 148 `thereof will not be actuated until after a predetermined period of time has elapsed sufiicient for complete discharge of the contents of the container 61 into the reservoir 90. y

When this has occurred, the arm 148 will engage fixed contact 146 to complete a circuit from negative main 124, `through vclosed switch 122, lead 145, closed contacts 146 and 14S, lead 151 to one side `of coil 152 of solenoid 153 and as the other side of said coil is connected to positive main 134 through leads 154 and 133, the solenoid 153 will be actuated so that its armature 156 will move the arm 123 of switch 122 to open position. Consequently, the circuit to time delay relays 111 and 147 will be broken, the deenergization of relay 147 permitting arm 148 to move away from fixed contact 146 and de-energizing solenoid 153, the switch 122 remaining in open position.

The de-energization of time delay relay 111 will cause its arm 116 to move away from fixed contact 109, thereby breaking the circuit to solenoid valve 66 to close the nozzle 65. When switch 122 is opened, the .holding circuit for relay 127 will be broken for `opening of its contacts. As a result, the solenoid 83 will be de-energized so that under the wieght of the motor 88 for example, which serves as a counterbalance, the yoke 75 will pivot to a horizontal position limitedby stop 84 and the unit is ready for the next cycle of opera-tion.

As the switch 10 has no springs, levers or fragile contacts, it is not likely to break do-wn even under severe conditions of operation. The cas-ing for the switch serves to protect it from dirt, dust or moisture so that operating failure or inadvertent operation is unlikely.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely `different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of lthe claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A. switch comprising a pair of spaced, rigidly connected, concentric annular conducting members defining a track therebetween and electrically insulated from each other, an annular member rigidly mounted with respect to said pair of concentric annular conducting members, extending parallel thereto and electrically insulated therefrom, said annular member extending across said pair of concentricconducting members, said annular member and said pair of concentric annular conducting members defining an annular cavity, a circuit closing member of electrically conducting material freely movable in said cavity, said circuit closing member having dimensions such that it may engage both of said concentric conducting members to complete a circuit therebetween and will be spaced from said annular member.

2. A switch comprising a pair of spaced, rigidly connected concentric conducting members defining a track therebetween and electrically insulated from each other, an annular conducting member rigidly mounted with respect to said pair of concentric conducting members and extending across the latter, said annular conducting member and said pair of conducting members defining an annular cavity, a circuit closing member of electrically conducting material freely movable in said cavity, said circuit closing member having dimensions such that it may engage both of said concentric conducting members and will be spaced from said annular member and may engage said annular member and one of said concentric conducting members and will be spaced from the other concentric conducting member whereby said circuit closing member may alternatively engage said annular conducting member and one of said pair of conducting members to complete one circuit and to engage said pair of concentric conducting members to complete a second circuit.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 in which said annular conducting member is conformed in two sections, one section being electrically insulated from the other, whereby when said circuit closing member engages one section of the annular member and said one of said pair of conducting members, one circuit will be completed and when said circuit closing member engages the other section of said annular member and the said one of said pair of conducting members, a second circuit will be completed.

4. The combination set forth in claim 2 in which said circuit closing member is a ball of conducting material.

5. A switch comprising a pair of spaced concentric annular conducting members, a third annular conducting member lying in a plane parallel to that of said pair of spaced concentric annular conducting members and extending ac-ross the latter, said third annular conducting member having an annular groove in its face adjacent the space between said pair of concentric annular conducting members, insulating means between said pair of spaced annular conducting members and said third annular conducting member, means securely to retain said conducting members and said insulating means together with said pair of conducting members on one side of said insulating means and said annular conducting member on the other, the space between said pair of -concentric conducting members and said groove in said third annular conducting member defining an annular cavity, a ball of electrically conducting material freely movable in said cavity, said ball having a diameter such that it may engage both of said concentric conducting members and will be spaced from said third conducting member and may engage said third conducting member and one of said concentric conducting members and will be spaced from the other concentric conducting member whereby said ball may alternatively engage said third annular conducting member and the outermost concentric conducting member to complete one circuit and to engage both the concentric annular conducting members to complete another circuit.

6. A switch comprising a circular disk of insulating material, an annular conducting member atiixed to one side of said disk and extending radially beyond its periphery, a second annular conducting member affixed to the other side of said disk and extending radially beyond its periphery and the periphery of said first conducting member, an annular insulating member of greater' diameter than said disk member and concentric therewith, the outer periphery of said second conducting member being affixed to one side of said annular insulating member, a third annular conducting member of greater diameter than said first annular conducting member and concentric therewith, said third annular conducting member being afiixed -to the other side of said annular insulating member with its inner periphery extending beyond the inner periphery of said annular insulating member, the opposed surfaces of said conducting members being conformed to define an annular cavity, a circuit closing member of electrically conducting material freely movable in said cavity, said circuit closing memer having dimensions such that it may engage said first and third conducting members and will be spaced from said second conducting member, whereby said circuit closing member may alternatively engage the second conducting member and said third annular conducting member to complete one circuit and the first conducting member and the third annular conducting member to complete a second circuit.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which said second conducting member is conformed in two sections, lying in the same plane with the ends of each section being spaced, whereby when said circuit closing member engages one section of the second `conducting member and the third annular conducting member, one circuit is completed and when said circuit closing member engages the other section of said second conducting member and the third annular conducting member, another circuit will be completed.

8. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which the inner surface of the portion of said second conducting member extending between the adjacent peripheries of said disk and said insulating member has an annular groove with beveled side walls, and the opposed peripheries of said first conducting member and said third annular conducting member have beveled surfaces, said beveled surfaces defining the annular cavity for said circuit closing member.

9. A switch comprising a circular disk of insulating material, an annular conducting member affixed to one side of said disk adjacent its periphery and extending beyond the latter, the inner surface of the outer periphery of said annular conducting member being beveled, a second annular conducting member affixed to the other side of said disk and extending beyond its periphery and the periphery of said first annular conducting member, said second annular conducting member having an annular groove in its inner surface with beveled side walls, an annular member of insulating material of greater diameter than the disk and concentric therewith, the outer periphery of said second annular conducting member being aixed to one side of said annular insulating member, said second annular conducting member having two sections lying in the same plane with their ends spaced, a third annular conducting member of greater diameter than said first annular conducting member and concentric therewith, said third annular conducting member being afiixed to the other side of said annular insulating member, and having the inner surface of its inner periphery beveled, the beveled surfaces of said conducting members defining an annular cavity, a circuit closing member of electrically conducting material freely movable in said annular cavity, said circuit closing member having dimensions such that it may engage said first and third conducting members and will be spaced from said second conducting member.

10. The combination set forth in claim 9 in which a casing is provided and said switch is positioned in said casing.

11. The combination set forth in claim 9 in which a substantially cup-shaped casing is provided having a central inwardly extending boss to which said disk is affixed and a cover plate seals said casing.

12. The combination set forth in claim 11 in which said casing has four terminals and said first annular conducting member, the two sections of said second annular conducting member and said third annular conducting member are connected respectively to said terminals.

13. A mixing system of the character described comprising a container, supporting means for said container, drive means mounted on said supporting means to rotate said container, a discharge nozzle on said container, a solenoid valve controlling said nozzle, a reservoir, means to tilt said supporting means and said container from horizontal position to align said nozzle with said reservoir, a switch mounted on one end of said container, said switch comprising a pair of concentric annular conducting members electrically insulated from each other and defining a track therebetween, a third annular conducting member associated with the outermost of said pair of concentric annular conducting members, electrically insulated therefrom and defining a second track with respect thereto, said third annular conducting member having two sections spaced from each other, a circuit closing member adapted to ride in said second track when said container is in horizontal position and in said first track when said container is in tilted position and circuits connecting said switch with said container rotating means, said tilting means and said solenoid valve, whereby when said container has rotated so that the circuit closing member engages the outermost of said concentric conducting members and one of the sections of said third annular conducting member, the drive means for the motor will be cut off and the tilting means for said container energized, and when the circuit closing member engages the concentric conducting members the solenoid valve will be opened for discharge of the contents of said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 999,012 Danziger July 25, 1911 1,224,347 Wolfe May l, 1917 1,402,696 Wallis Jan. 3, 1922 1,832,869 Macy Nov. 24, 1931 2,339,063 Deakin Jan. 1l, 1944 2,531,938 Holcomb et al Nov. 28, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 287,78() Great Britain Mar. 29, 1928 376,918 Germany June 9, 1923 

